Kilkenny, Ireland

Kilkenny

A medieval city with a castle, a cathedral and lively pubs.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
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Things to do

2 days in Kilkenny

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit Kilkenny Castle and walk through its park.
  2. AfternoonWalk the Medieval Mile to St. Canice's Cathedral and climb its round tower.
  3. EveningEnjoy the pubs and live music on Parliament Street.

Day 2

Visit Jerpoint Abbey or the Rock of Cashel.

What to eat

A Smithwick's red ale, brewed here for centuries.

Local tips

Make the most of Kilkenny

Beat the crowds

Summer weekends and festivals are busy. Weekdays are calmer.

Best photo spot

Kilkenny Castle from the bridge over the river Nore, and the medieval Slip lanes.

Getting there

Trains from Dublin take about 1.5 hours. The centre is walkable.

Don't miss nearby

The Rock of Cashel and the gardens of Woodstock.

Good to know

Climb the round tower next to St. Canice's Cathedral for the view. The castle park is free.

Secret spots

1 secret spot near Kilkenny

Our most hidden places around Kilkenny: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Kilkenny to take with you.

73 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Kilkenny

Getting there

  • Dublin Airport (DUB)110 km away
  • Shannon Airport (SNN)115 km away
  • Dublin100 km away
  • Cork120 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeHidden town
Good forOld towns & architecture, Food
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryIreland

Questions

Kilkenny: good to know

Is Kilkenny worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and food. A medieval city with a castle, a cathedral and lively pubs.

How many days do you need in Kilkenny?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Kilkenny?

You can visit all year. Summer weekends and festivals are busy. Weekdays are calmer.

How do you get to Kilkenny?

The nearest airport is Dublin Airport (DUB), about 110 km away. Trains from Dublin take about 1.5 hours. The centre is walkable.

What is there to see near Kilkenny?

Nearby hidden places include Dublin (102 km), Howth Cliff Walk (113 km) and Cork (119 km).

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